Asma e refluxo gastroesofágico

Abstract

There is an association between asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The prevalence of GERD is higher in asthma patients than in individuals without asthma. However, GERD is associated with asthma-related respiratory symptoms. In other words, asthma worsens GERD, and GERD worsens asthma. One group of authors (1) studied the presence of classic GERD symptoms in individuals with asthma and noted that heartburn, reflux, and dysphagia were reported by 77, 55, and 24%, respectively, of those interviewed. The mechanisms associated with the high frequency of GERD symptoms in asthma patients are related to alterations linked to asthma and the effects of medications. (2) Dysfunction of the autonomous nervous system and an increase in the pressure gradient between the chest and abdomen, as well as changes in the position of the diaphragm, are seen in asthma patients and can play a role in the appearance of hiatal hernia and GERD. Another group of authors (3) noted that repeated doses of inhaled salbutamol resulted in a decrease in the basal pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. Yet another group (4) observed that the use of 60 mg/day of prednisone, per oral, for seven days increased the contact time between gastric acid and the esophagus.

Diagnóstico E Manifestações Precoces Na Asma Pediátrica: O Que Sabemos?

“…A exposição à fumaça do cigarro parece se associar a maior gravidade e morbidade da asma na infância, por acelerar a perda da função pulmonar, ao aumentar a inflamação das pequenas vias aéreas mediada por neutrófilos e macrófagos e potencializar a hiperresponsividade brônquica, MARTINS, 2007). Apesar de ser uma relação controversa, outros autores demonstraram uma maior prevalência da DRGE em crianças asmáticas, com maior ocorrência associada aos casos moderados e graves, os quais persistem sintomáticos por períodos mais longos e com agravamento noturno devido ao decúbito (TEIXEIRA et al, 2007;TEBET, 2000).…”